Individual Income Tax FAQs

You do not have to file a Missouri return if you are not required to file a federal return.

If you are required to file a federal return, you may not have to file a Missouri return if:

• You are a resident and have less than $1,200 of Missouri adjusted gross income;
• You are a nonresident with less than $600 of Missouri income; OR
• Your Missouri adjusted gross income is less than the amount of your standard deduction plus your exemption amount.

Note: If you are not required to file a Missouri return, but you received a W-2 form stating you had Missouri tax withheld, you must file a Missouri return to get a refund of your Missouri withholding. If you are not required to file a Missouri return and you do not anticipate an increase in income, you may change your W-4 form to "exempt" so your employer will not withhold Missouri tax.

The due date for the 2023 Missouri Individual Income Tax Return is April 15, 2024.
Fiscal year filers must file no later than the 15th day of the fourth month following the close of their taxable year.

Missouri offers the following filing options:

• Electronic Filing (e-filing of your state and federal return)
• 2-D Barcode Filing (Filing your state paper return using a barcode)
• Paper Short Forms - MO-1040A
• Paper Long Form - MO-1040

Remember: No matter what method you choose, your 2023 income tax return is due April 15, 2024.

If you choose to file a paper return, you can use our Tax Form Selector to find out which form is right for you. The form selector walks you through a series of brief questions and recommends the easiest form to file.

For Individual Income Tax Forms, click here.

In order to claim a refund for a decedent, the following documents are required:

• Refund check payable to decedent;
• Completed MO-1310D, Statement of Person Claiming Refund Due a Deceased Taxpayer;
• Death Certificate; and
• If requestor is a personal representative, verification of appointment.

Mail all required documentation to:
Missouri Department of Revenue
PO Box 2200
Jefferson City, MO 65105-2200

Under Section 143.811 RSMo, refunds issued after 45 days from the date the return or claim for refund was filed will receive interest if the interest is one dollar or more.  The interest rate used for calculating refund interest can be found here and is set in accordance with Section 32.065 RSMo.

Yes. Any time an employee is performing services in exchange for wages in Missouri, those wages are subject to Missouri withholding. This applies in the case of "remote work" where an employee is located in Missouri, and performs services for the employer on a remote basis. This rule also applies if the service for which the employee is receiving wages is "standing down" (i.e., when the employer instructs the employee not to work, but the employee is still being paid).

No. If a nonresident employee performs all of his or her services outside of Missouri, the wages paid to that employee are not subject to Missouri withholding.

If you begin with only Missouri source income, your deductions will be too high. You must begin your Missouri return with your total federal adjusted gross income, even if you have income from a state other than Missouri. Your deductions and exemptions apply to your total income, not just your Missouri source income.

For more information, refer to the Resident/Nonresident and Military Status pages.

You need Form MO-1040.

For more information, refer to the Resident/Nonresident and Military Status pages.

Military pay is subject to income tax only by the state that is your home of record. If you entered the military in Missouri, your home of record is presumed to be Missouri (you are presumed to be domiciled in Missouri).

If you are entering or leaving the armed forces and are in Missouri more than 30 days, your total income (military pay included) is 100 percent taxable to Missouri.

If you are a Missouri resident and you are stationed in Missouri, your military pay is subject to Missouri tax. If you and your spouse are residents of Missouri and your spouse remains in Missouri while you are out of Missouri on military orders, your total income (military pay included) is taxable to Missouri.

If your home of record is Missouri, but you and your spouse did not spend more than 30 days in Missouri and you did not maintain permanent living quarters in Missouri, your military pay will not be subject to Missouri tax. You must file a Form MO-1040 and Form MO-NRI to verify your military/nonresident tax status. Be sure to include a copy of your federal return.

If your home of record is not Missouri, but you are stationed in Missouri due to military orders, your military pay is not subject to Missouri income tax. You are not required to file a Missouri individual income tax return. However, please complete the "No Return Required - Military Online Form" to ensure the Department is aware you are not required to file a Missouri income tax return. If you or your spouse earned Missouri source income of $600 or more (other than military pay), you must file a Missouri income tax return by completing Form MO-1040 and Form MO-NRI. Be sure to include a copy of your federal return.

For more information about the taxation of military pay, see DOR-558, Military Information , or refer to the Military Status page.

You must include all income on your Missouri return. If you perform services partly within and partly out of the state, only the wages you are paid for the services performed within Missouri are subject to Missouri income tax. The Form(s) W-2 issued to you from your employer(s) should indicate the state in which the wages were paid, along with the wages you earned in that state. You must allocate your Missouri source income on Form MO-NRI and complete Form MO-1040. You must include a copy of your federal return with your state return. Interstate transportation employees who regularly travel and perform duties in more than one state, may only be taxed by their state of residence. For more information regarding interstate transportation employees, you may download the state of Missouri Employer's Tax Guide.

For more information, refer to the Resident/Nonresident and Military Status pages.

Taxpayers who were part-year Missouri residents can complete either Form MO-CR (Credit for Income Taxes Paid to Other States) or Form MO-NRI (Missouri Income Percentage):

• Form MO-CR should be completed if you are a part-year resident filing as a resident. A copy of the other state's return is required.
• Form MO-NRI should be completed if you were a part-year resident filing as a nonresident. A copy of your federal return is required.

For more information, refer to the Resident/Nonresident and Military Status pages.

If you are a full-year or part-year Missouri resident and earn income from another state, you must include all income on your Form MO-1040. You may be entitled to claim a credit against your Missouri tax liability for the income taxes paid to the other state. To determine your allowable credit, complete Form MO-CR (Credit for Income Taxes Paid to Other States). You must include a copy of the other state's return.

If you are a part-year Missouri resident filing as a nonresident, you must include the other state's income on your Form MO-1040. You may be entitled to reduce your Missouri tax liability. To determine the income tax you must pay to Missouri, complete Form MO-NRI (Missouri Income Percentage) and include a copy of your federal return.

For more information, refer to the Resident/Nonresident and Military Status pages.

In accordance with Section 143.121.2 RSMo, for tax years beginning January 1, 2007, if a nonresident reported property taxes paid to another state or political subdivision on their federal Schedule A, they must report the amount of property taxes paid to a state other than Missouri as an addition modification on Form MO-A, unless that state or political subdivision allows a subtraction to income for Missouri property taxes. For more information see the Nonresidents and Residents with Other State Income FAQ.

Only report the amount of property taxes which relate to income derived from Missouri source income. If 100 percent of your taxable income was derived from Missouri sources, 100 percent of the nonresident property taxes paid were related to income derived from Missouri, and the full amount paid must be reported on Line S. If a lesser percentage of your income was derived from Missouri, you may exclude from Line S, the amounts paid in nonresident property taxes that were not from Missouri sources.

No, if you are a resident of Missouri, you are not required to report property taxes paid to another state on Form MO-A.

If you receive an extension of time to file your federal income tax return, you will automatically be granted an extension of time to file your Missouri income tax return. Attach a copy of your federal extension (Federal Form 4868 or 2688) with your Missouri income tax return when you file.

If you expect to owe income tax, file Form MO-60 with your payment by the original due date of the return. An extension of time to file does not extend the time to pay. A 5 percent addition to tax penalty will apply if the tax is not paid by the original due date, provided your return is filed by the extension due date.

An addition to tax is imposed for failure to file or failure to pay. An addition to tax is imposed for failure to file by the due date at the rate of 5 percent per month, not to exceed 25 percent of the unpaid balance. An addition to tax is imposed for failure to pay by the due date at the rate of 5 percent of the unpaid balance.

Interest is imposed on the portion of your Missouri tax liability that is not received on or before the due date. Simple interest is charged on all delinquent taxes. Click here to obtain current or previous interest rates.

If you have delinquent tax and want help figuring the amount due, access the Addition to Tax and Interest Calculator.

The Missouri Department of Revenue accepts the following types of payments:

• Electronic Bank Draft (E-Check). With your routing number, checking/savings account number you can pay online, or call 888-929-0513. There will be a .50 cent handling fee to use this service.
• Check or Money Order. Your check or money order (U.S. funds only), payable to the Missouri Department of Revenue, should be mailed to the Department of Revenue, PO Box 385, Jefferson City, MO 65105-0385. By submitting payment by check, you authorize the Department to process the check electronically upon receipt. Do not postdate. The Department may electronically resubmit checks returned for insufficient or uncollected funds. If you mail your payment after you return is filed, attach your payment to Form MO-1040V.
• Credit Card. The department accepts MasterCard, Discover, Visa, and American Express. You can pay online, or call 888-929-0513. A convenience fee of 2.0% + $0.25 will be charged for each credit or debit card transaction.

If you are unable to pay the tax owed in full by the due date, you may set up a pay plan using our Internet Installment Agreement Application. For further information, email the Department of Revenue Individual Income Tax office at income@dor.mo.gov

Interest and addition to tax are imposed on the tax not paid by the due date. Any portion of the tax you are able to pay prior to the due date will reduce the addition and interest to tax imposed.

A lien may be filed in any case in which an assessment of tax, interest, addition to tax or penalty imposed under Sections 143.005 to 143.998 RSMo, has been made and has become final. The lien may be filed for record in the recorder's office of the county in which the person resides or owns property. The lien attaches to real or personal property or interest in real or personal property owned by the person or acquired by the person after the filing of the certificate of lien.

The deduction of your public retirement benefit will be 100 percent from the 2012 tax year and forward.

The total public pension exemption is limited to the maximum social security benefit of each spouse.

In order to be eligible for the full deduction, your Missouri adjusted gross income must fall within certain income limitations. If your income exceeds the limitation, you may qualify for a partial exemption. The amount of your exemption must be reduced by the amount that your income exceeds the limitation. The limitation is based on your filing status and income (less taxable social security benefits) as listed below:

• $85,000 – Single, Head of Household, or Qualifying Widow(er)
• $100,000 – Married, filing combined
• $85,000 – Married, filing separate

See the public pension exemption eligibility chart or complete the public pension calculation located on the MO-A, to determine if you are eligible.

The maximum exemption allowed for private pension is $6,000. In order to be eligible for the full pension exemption, your Missouri adjusted gross income must fall within certain income limitations. If your income exceeds the limitation, you may qualify for a partial exemption. The amount of your exemption must be reduced by the amount that your income exceeds the limitation. The limitation is based on your filing status and income (less taxable social security benefits) as listed below:

• $25,000 - Single, Head of Household, or Qualifying Widow(er)
• $32,000 - Married, filing combined
• $16,000 - Married, filing separate

See the private pension exemption eligibility chart or complete the private pension calculation located on the MO-A, to determine if you are eligible.

The deductible percentage of your social security and social security disability benefits will be 100 percent from 2012 and forward. You must be 62 to qualify for a social security deduction.

In order to be eligible for the full deduction, your Missouri adjusted gross income must fall within certain income limitations. If your income exceeds the limitation, you may qualify for a partial exemption. The amount of your exemption must be reduced by the amount that your income exceeds the limitation. The limitation is based on your filing status and income as listed below:

• $85,000 – Single, Head of Household, or Qualifying Widow(er)
• $100,000 – Married, filing combined
• $85,000 – Married, filing separate

See the social security/social security disability deduction eligibility chart or complete the social security/social security disability calculation located on the MO-A, to determine if you are eligible.

For 2021 tax year and forward, the taxable Military Pension is reduced from your federal adjusted gross income on the Form MO-A, Part 1, Line 10. For tax years prior to 2021, the taxable military pension is reduced as an exemption on the Form MO-A, Part 3, Section D.

The Survivor Benefit Plan is a program offered by the United States government to retired members of the military servicemember so that upon the death of the retired servicemember, an annuity is provided to a designated person (usually the surviving spouse) as a replacement for the military retirement pension. Although the annuity does not qualify for the military retirement pension exemption, it does qualify for the public pension exemption.

Section 143.011, RSMo mandates tax is imposed for every taxable year on the Missouri taxable income of every resident. The tax shall be determined by applying the tax table or the rate provided in section 143.021, which is based upon the following rates:

You may calculate your Missouri tax liability using the Individual Income Tax Calculator.

The cities of St. Louis City and Kansas City levy a city earnings tax. The Missouri Department of Revenue does NOT collect these taxes. You may need to report the amount paid on Form MO-A, itemized deductions. For additional reporting requirements to either city, you may select the appropriate link:

• St. Louis City
• Kansas City

Gambling income is included in your federal adjusted gross income. If you itemize your deductions on the federal return, (non-professional gambler) losses may be deducted as a miscellaneous itemized deductions. If you elect to itemize deductions on your Missouri return, your gambling losses will reduce your Missouri taxable income

To see if you qualify for a credit of up to $750 if you rent or $1,100 if you own your home, click here for the property tax credit diagram.

If you are required to file a Missouri income tax return, you may file a Form MO-1040 and Form MO-PTS (together) to claim your credit or refund. If you are NOT required to file a Missouri income tax return, you must file a Form MO-PTC, Property Tax Credit Claim, to claim your credit.

For more information, you may visit our Property Tax Credit Claim page or email us at PropertyTaxCredit@dor.mo.gov

Missouri does not have a special form for amending a tax return. Form MO-1040 Individual Income Tax - Long Form should be completed (for the year being amended) with the corrected figures. The box indicating an amended return on page 1 should be marked in the top left corner.

The long form should be used even if you originally filed electronically, or used a short form. Remember to also complete the "Amended Return" section when completing page 2 of the return. To avoid a delay in processing your amended Missouri return, please include a copy of your amended federal income tax return and any supporting documentation, including Form MO-A (Individual Income Tax Adjustments), if applicable.

Amended returns currently have the highest error rate among all types of income tax returns filed. The top reasons for taxpayer errors are:

1. Entering the wrong amount that was previously paid on the original return. This amount should include tax, interest, addition to tax, and any penalty that was previously paid.
2. Entering the wrong amount that was previously refunded on the original return. This amount should include the full amount overpaid, including the refund amount, interest, any amount transferred to next year's taxes, and any amount intercepted and applied to another debt.
3. Failing to attach Form MO-A with the amended return. Complete and attach Form MO-A to your amended return if you itemize your deductions, claim modifications, or claim a pension exemption. (Even if changes were not made to this form, Form MO-A should still be attached with your amended return.)

The department retains individual income tax returns for four years after they are filed.

To request a copy of your return, complete and sign Form 1937 and submit by:

• Email: TaxForms@dor.mo.gov;
• Mail:
  Missouri Department of Revenue
  PO Box 3022
  Jefferson City, MO 65105-3022; or
• Fax: 573-526-1881.

To expedite your inquiry, the following information should be included in your correspondence:

• Your tax identification number or social security number (copy of notice if one was received);
• The "tax type" in question;
• Your current address;
• Day time telephone number; and
• Detailed explanation of your inquiry.

Any of the following information would be acceptable to support your subtraction regarding your health insurance premiums:

• A letter from the plan provider verifying the amount of premiums paid
• A bank statement showing the amount and to whom the premiums were paid
• Copies of cancelled checks verifying the premiums paid
• A copy of a SSA-1099 (for Medicare withheld from Social Security)
• A copy of a W-2 (for some types of after tax premiums) with a detailed explanation from the taxpayer

**NOTE: Premiums that are paid on your behalf by your employer, or that are otherwise excluded from your taxable income do not qualify for the subtraction.